We need to plug in to build family happiness. No, I do not mean plug in the TV or the internet. Plugging in to technology won’t bring greater family happiness. In fact, too much technology tends to distract us from family happiness. In order to increase family happiness, we need to plug in to relationships....

May 30, 2015

A Triangle of Love

by John Salmon

I invite you to participate in a love triangle…Oh wait. That sounds bad. Step back. Take a breath. It’s not what it sounds like. I’m talking about Robert Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Love. Let me rephrase. I invite you to experience all three components of Sternberg’s theory of love with your spouse…and only your spouse!...

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Celebration Honor

commitment connection intimacy love marriage

May 23, 2015

The Marriage I Want My Kids to See

by John Salmon

I have two daughters, both in transition from the late teen years into young adulthood. I have some mixed feelings about this. They are wonderful young ladies and I love spending time with them; but they will soon leave home. Eventually, they will marry and begin their own families. Someone else will become the “man...

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Celebration Honor

admiration affection affirmation intimacy marriage parenting value

May 9, 2015

15 Phrase Your Spouse Needs to Hear

by John Salmon

In the rush of family life, we often neglect to communicate our love to our spouse. We forget to make those verbal deposits of admiration and affection into our family bank of honor. Sometimes we might even begin to replace verbal deposits of admiration with withdrawals of criticism or complaint. We need to take a...

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Honor

acknowledgement intimacy love marriage value

March 31, 2015

Prayer Changes Things—sample chapter from “For His Eyes Only”

by John Salmon

(Help spread the news: retweet the tweets embedded in this blog and send this sample chapter to other men who want to become the husband God designed and the one their wives desire!) “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16b—NIV) I learned an important lesson about prayer during my early twenties. A...

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Book Reviews Grace Honor

husbands marriage

March 2, 2015

The Gift Every Child Wants (& Only You Can Give)

by John Salmon

All children desire this gift, but very few cannot articulate it. This gift will provide your children with an amazing sense of security. Although it demands some effort, it will provide immeasurable benefits to you and your children throughout your lifetimes. In fact, your children will benefit from this gift even after you have passed...

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Family Shepherds

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February 1, 2015

The Good, the NOT Good, and the VERY Good

by John Salmon

We just returned from facilitating a marriage retreat at Camp Christian in Mill Run, PA (learn more about Camp Christian here). The theme of the retreat was Blessing Your Spouse. We had a wonderful time with a great group of couples. At one point, we talked about the good, the NOT good and the VERY...

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Celebration Honor

blessing creativity intimacy love marriage

November 3, 2014

Family Fun Night Under the Stars

by John Salmon

Whether you want to spend a romantic night with your spouse or a relaxed evening with your whole family, stargazing fits the bill. I remember laying a blanket out in the back yard so my daughters, my wife, and I could lie back, look at the stars, and talk. We talked about the constellations (mostly...

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Family Shepherds

family fun night family intimacy family relationships fun marriage parent child relationship romantic traditions value

November 1, 2014

Avoid 5 Practices to Have a Successful Family Conflict

by John Salmon

Yes, you can have a successful family conflict! Successful conflict increases mutual understanding and intimacy. It draws families closer together. Conflict also reveals ways to help your family grow stronger. Conflict can do this and more if we avoid five practices. If you let these five practices sneak into your family conflict, misunderstandings increase. Anger grows....

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Grace Honor

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October 25, 2014

Families Unite for Family Fun

by John Salmon

When I was young, my family enjoyed “get-togethers” with another family every Friday night. The adults would play cards in one room while the “kids” played together in another room. These were great evenings. We had such fun. The evening began by ordering pizza. We would eat, laugh, and enjoy one another’s company. Then the...

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Celebration Family Shepherds

family fun night family relationships fun identity marriage parent child relationship play value

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Plug In for Family Happiness

A Triangle of Love

The Marriage I Want My Kids to See

15 Phrase Your Spouse Needs to Hear

Prayer Changes Things—sample chapter from “For His Eyes Only”

The Gift Every Child Wants (& Only You Can Give)

The Good, the NOT Good, and the VERY Good

Family Fun Night Under the Stars

Avoid 5 Practices to Have a Successful Family Conflict

Families Unite for Family Fun